Event Eight.

[awashmods]

To thee I'll return, overburdened with care; The heart's dearest solace will smile on me there. No more from the cottage again will I roam, Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home.

he Town is quiet this week. No sudden quests on the forum post, no roars of werewolves in the distance... just peaceful, peaceful quiet. Of course, it's hot as hell right now, but that aside, it's pretty pleasant. You probably don't want to wander around the Town right now, but... Naturally, now's when the Town is going to start thoroughly encouraging you to do just that. You do want to find your doorway back home, don't you? Better get searching! And don't mind the other worlds you might end up stumbling into first. Welcome to Awash's eighth event log, everyone! Further information on this event can be found here at the OOC post. You are welcome to start your own posts or logs for this event as well. If there are any questions, please ask them here. Thank you!

Comments

[swordfucker]

[It's like watching Yuu, there, or worse— it's like watching himself. He can see and feel the way Damian is pressing against that energy, that it's unnatural, that it's strong. He knows he has that strength. He's known it from their first meeting, even if this time it gets a brief widening of his eyes before he reaches out to catch Damian in his stagger by the shoulder.]

Listen to me. I don't think you should let that determination die. No matter what it takes, hold onto the desire to protect your friends and your family.

[He digs his fingers into his shoulders slightly.]

But your humanity is the last thing you should give away. Don't jump at it. Toe that line if you have to, but never cross it.

[It's not like he's speaking from experience or anything. He releases him after that, standing up straight and looking down at him, concerned.]

That's all I'm trying to say.

Alright let's do it then (also sorry for late tag due to con)

[totheno1]

[This was not the place he'd have wanted to do this. Kei feared how Goro would react with what would come next. After all, he could only recall how well Ideal Maki took it when she was told she was only part of someone's ID, and not her own self. This wasn't the same at all, but that situation had stayed in Kei's mind all those years. He could only guess how Akechi would react to learning what he was going to tell him. In such a place, not being truthful would only make things worse and perhaps deadly. He clicks the tip of his tongue in annoyance.]

I'll be fine...I apologize for keeping this from you, young lad...however...

[He stops, watching additional demons, or shadows as he calls them, appear nearby, moving closer.]

...this type of situation is not alien to me, although this world is. I'm afraid I can sense others who share the same power...and ever since I've been here, I have known what lies in you. However, I have operated under the rule that I would only speak out if others had to reveal themselves first, as many have reasons not to share such information. You have always been impeccable in your sword training, and I have enjoyed being in your company. Whatever reasons you might have, they are not for me to judge.

[With that, it probably explained everything Goro may need to know. Unsheathing his sword, he looks at the teenager with a small nod. How Goro would react would be important as to what he'd do next.]

So what you say is true. At this rate it might be too dangerous alone. However, I believe the both of us should be able to take care of such a situation together, if you'd allow me to fight with you.

[> Kei Nanjo requests to join your party. Command?]

[resoluteseraph]

About as much time as we spent in the village.

We'll have to check around for prickleboars before anyone else stumbles on them.

[ A glance around to see what might be lurking in the brush only for his eyes to go back to Sorey at the excitement. Then his gaze fixes on the goats in contemplation. ]

I wonder if we could bring one back.

[resoluteseraph]

[ Mikleo sees the hesitation and decides to not press for answers. Instead sweeps his gaze around the room without trespassing into her private space. ]

I too had been traveling. Exploring my world and only recently went home. Things were different. Both myself and the village.

I accept that dare

[resoluteseraph]

[ The situation is so familiar that he isn't surprised to see Sorey barely look at him only to go back to sleep. As tempting as it might be to lay down next to his friend and nap too, there are more important things they should be doing at the moment.

So it's with an amused huff that he extends his right hand and summons water above Sorey's head, releasing it. The water is a touch on the cold side to truly bring the Shepherd to an alert state.

And if he looks pleased afterwards well... that's only normal. ]

[troubadamsel]

[bless u ginko]

Ah, yes, of course. Best to watch them from a distance, like many wild animals.

[resoluteseraph]

After visiting my own space, I realized that the areas I'd frequented were far more detailed than the ones I hadn't yet time to fully explore. The basic designs were there but only based on what I could remember.

[ Outside the ruins are clear as day and inside things get muddled. ]

That's correct. Mikleo. [ That's it. That's his name. ] A seraph is a spiritual being that exists in my world, usually invisible to humans unless they have resonance. They tend to have elemental abilities. Mine would be water-based.

[messianic]

You--

[DAMIAN, WAIT.

All of this theory is very fascinating and all, and he'll return to it in a moment, but.

But.]

You went in alone? Are you okay?

no worries~

[resoluteseraph]

[ That is the most startling reaction someone has had to him, which makes Mikleo wonder if he'd just managed to sneak up on him or if Rin is seeing something odd. Like Mikleo as a ghost. Or even just hearing his voice.

It's happened before. He quickly makes his way across the space to peer over the counter at the teen sprawled on the ground, ensuring that he isn't seriously injured. ]

I apologize for startling you. Are you hurt? [ Mikleo would be more than willing to offer up a healing arte. For now, he keeps his distance while Rin collects himself. ]

Apparently people can visit other's "worlds" if they find the right doorway. I got caught up exploring the building. [ He's starting to think that Mikleo should just act as if everyone can see him upon first meeting them rather than assume he's invisible. ]

[theshowsover]

[He very well might. RIP Damian...

But he nods as Damian works at the brush, occasionally moving some around with his foot to help. Or at least a semblance of helping.]

Better?

[theshowsover]

Are you a masochist?

[Said as he pours himself a cup and leans against the counter, taking a sip.]

[bittybat]

[Thankfully, he at least doesn't give Guren any lip about the supportive hand on his shoulder. He's run out of sass for the moment, and looks strangely tired, not something typical of him. It takes a bit for him to catch... his breath, his normalcy.

Whew. He hasn't been quite that angry in a long time, and none of it had exactly been directed at Guren. When he lifts his head, his face is pinched, glaring, but that's not directed at Guren either.] Don't be an idiot, Ichinose. [His voice is soft though just as firm and determined.]

I never had any humanity. [He's a bitter little espresso.] My mother made sure of it.

Besides, why should I listen to you? You're not exactly toeing the line. You're standing on the other side of it.

[asano_san]

[No. No, he does not.]

Each and every one? There isn't enough time to read every book in a library! Even if it was the real world and not some kind of portal that could go away at any time!

[swordfucker]

You'll know when I'm on the other side of it.

[That's his quiet response, turning away from Damian and frowning to himself. No, he's frowning pretty pointedly at something— or nothing in particular? It's as if someone is there.]

Your humanity is that desire to help your friends and your family. To keep them safe, no matter what. I don't care how you were born or what sick things your mother did to make you like a weapon. You're still human.

[That's why he wants to say he is, too. He moves forward, and the way he moves his arm almost looks like he's pushing someone out of the way as he heads for the door. Odd.]

Let's get out of here.

[theshowsover]

Mm. I can make curry.

[His culinary skills are limited, but effective enough in what he can do. At least, he's never given anyone food poisoning and has received an "I guess it's fine" from the very picky Sojiro.

When they get there, Joshua will see it's a cafe, small but warm. It's not the fanciest place, but by now Akira calls it home.]

This is Leblanc.

[resoluteseraph]

[ From what he's seen of the island it doesn't appear as if people could get into a lot of trouble here unless they don't know how to swim and leave the safety of the sand. He won't deny that this sight isn't quite what Mikleo would see in his own home village. Beautiful sunsets, yes. Beautiful sunsets over the ocean, not so much. ]

This is the first time I've been able to appreciate a sunset on the ocean. My home is about as far from the ocean as it can get.

[troubadamsel]

Then how can we possibly make a fair assessment about what to take?

[bittybat]

[Hm. If anything should calm Minato's worry, it's the fact Damian is in one piece. There doesn't appear to be any major scars or damage, no missing limbs, no missing teeth or eyes, no burns or wounds.]

I'm fine.

The forest offered me tests of combat, and then it tried to test my constitution after each one. Or punish my constitution would be more accurate of a description.

[bittybat]

[Weird...

Damian turns halfway to peer at Guren's back, visibly confused and closing his mouth. A cursory assessment is... Guren is hallucinating? Slowly, he glances around the room again, at the statues, the markers. No, something feels... off. The hairs along his arms rise.

And then he hurriedly catches up with Guren to get through the door. Some time ago, he shut a similar door on a similar room--a vault full of trophies of all the things he had destroyed with his own two hands.

He's not sad to see this one get holed up either. A bit perturbed maybe.]

[theshowsover]

[If Akira is at all offended to hear his coffee is worse than Ryo's secretary, he doesn't show it. Which is to say, he isn't offended at all. He has a lot of learn.]

You're welcome.

[But that aside...]

You have a secretary?

[He seems a bit... young?]

[swordfucker]

[Guren keeps his hand on the handle of his sword as he walks, but that's pretty standard for him. It's just the way that he walks that's different. The doors slam shut behind them, the seals reactivating, and Guren keeps moving. He's stiff, tense, like there's too much on his mind.

But he does speak eventually.]

The rest of this place is just ordinary classrooms, a lab that was used for experimenting on vampires, and the rooftop that gives you a view of what's around us. You can do what you'd like.

[Leave, stay, look around...]

[messianic]

[Look, he's not worried about physical damages. He can tell that Damian's in one piece.]

... Yeah. That's what I'm worried about.

[Mental damage is a lot worse.]

I won't ask what it did, because it seems like it's usually really personal, but... are you sure you're okay? I don't just mean that you're uninjured or things like that.

[unghost]

How should I know? It's not like I look through their stuff ever.

[ Probably no one has looked at it for centuries, so they have no idea what kind of document it would look like— even if they're pretty certain it's around here somewhere. They're coming up on the huge shelves that are leaned against the arches, and there's several ladders stacked against the side for accessing the higher ones. ]

Since they don't have to look at it often, I'd say it's more likely that it's super dusty and crammed somewhere they don't go through often.

[ Which leaves the choice: to look through the bottom shelves, the middle, or the top? ]

[unghost]

A gem. We're sentient crystals.

[ yes??? ]

And?

[ They're expecting a good answer!! ]

[withwisdom]

[ follow she does, though she keeps a small stretch of distance, purposefully so. when she thinks he's too preoccupied with the path ahead, she carefully pulls out her sheikah slate to take pictures of anything that seems vaguely interesting. the equipment especially, all of it, gets a quick picture taken. ]

Are all labs supposed to feel so foreboding? Guess not every place can have a home-brewed feeling to it.

[ purah and robbie's labs were both small and operated out from their homes. perhaps that was just a matter of the limitations of what they could do, as opposed to just a matter of convenience. ]